Former Olympic gold medallist calls out Novak Djokovic’s ‘hypocrite’ fans after Serb’s triumphant run at Paris Olympics

Former World No. 1 and Olympic champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov has called out the hypocricy of Novak Djokovic's fans.

Former Olympic gold medallist calls out Novak Djokovic’s ‘hypocrite’ fans after Serb’s triumphant run at Paris Olympics

Yevgeny Kafelnikov slams Novak Djokovic fans (via Imago)

Former World No. 1 and gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, criticized Novak Djokovic‘s fans after the Serb won the Olympic gold.

Earlier this week, Djokovic emerged victorious at the Paris Olympics and mentioned that he has finally completed his tennis puzzle. Following this, his fans used this to portray him as being better than his long-term rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

Previously, Nadal was the only member of the Big Three with an Olympic singles gold, one that he earned in 2008. Djokovic’s fans were not willing to consider it for the GOAT debate and only considered Grand Slam titles. However, as Kafelnikov pointed out, they are now holding the Olympic gold at the same level as Majors, contradicting their earlier arguments.

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It’s so funny to see Novak’s fans on social media. Before, they said that the Olympics were not important, but now they find them important, saying that it was necessary for him to win them. I have said it before. Olympic gold is as important as a Grand Slam title.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov told Tennis Majors

Kafelnikov is a two-time Grand Slam champion himself, having won the French Open in 1996 and the Australian Open in 1999, in addition to being an Olympic gold medalist for Russia.

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Despite criticizing Novak Djokovic’s fans, Yevgeny Kafelnikov hails the Serb as the greatest tennis player

Despite accusing Novak Djokovic’s supporters of being hypocritical, Yevgeny Kafelnikov heaped praise on the World No. 2. In a recent interview, he admitted that he believes the Serbian is the greatest tennis player ever. 

Kafelnikov calls Novak Djokovic the greatest tennis player
Yevgeny Kafelnikov calls Novak Djokovic the greatest tennis player (images via Imago)

The Russian went to on elaborate that the 24-time Grand Slam champion is also in contention to become the greatest athlete of all time. 

There is no question whether Novak is the greatest of all time in tennis, that’s for sure. Whether you can put him on the same level as Michael Jordan… I don’t, because I grew up idolizing the greatest athlete of all time, which is Michael Jordan – all I wanted was to watch him play live.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov to Tennis Majors 

Kafelnikov’s personal bias towards childhood hero Michael Jordan pushed him to hold back and question Djokovic’s claim as the greatest athlete of all time.

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